San Francisco, California, USA
For a new home on a narrow urban lot, this San Francisco-based architecture firm created a trio of stacked glass, stone, and steel volumes, each distinct in its approach to depth, transparency, and massing.
The overall design–-one that emphasizes seamless floor plans, large swaths of glass, and centrally framed views—is a continuation of several principles central to the firm’s work.
Dolores Heights Residence by Dumican Mosey Architects, won an American Architecture Award 2025 from The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design.
The project began when the firm was approached by a developer to design a house on a steeply sloping site that had been previously occupied by an introverted, patchwork home.
As the initial design neared completion, the property was purchased by a couple with two young children who were set on living in Dolores Heights and had come across the project.
Satisfied with the overall design but wanting a bit of their own spin on things, the couple engaged the architects on adapting and tailoring the design–particularly materials and finishes–to suit the family’s aesthetic preferences and lifestyle.
Through this transition in ownership, the designers were able to apply a higher level of detailing that introduces a sense of refinement to the house, elevating it from spec project to sophisticated custom house
Through its varied massing and materiality, the front facade explores a push-pull dynamic between porous and private, solid and void, and light and shadow. Striated limestone on the front is specifically patterned to feel both random and controlled.
The massing of the top volume feels substantial in comparison to the middle volume, while also introducing a sense of lightness as it cantilevers over the large glass panels below it.
The top level is defined by swaths of stone with a textural finish. The masonry’s length stands in subtle contrast to the home’s vertically.
The rear facade adopts a similar approach to its street-facing counterpart; however, given the enhanced privacy, it is notably lighter and more transparent.
It retains the site’s views overlooking the landscape and towards downtown, which was a key client request. The home is anchored by a towering tree in the backyard that was carefully preserved.
The entry sequence is defined by a breezeway culminating in a glass door with a clear sightline through the house towards the prized tree at the rear.
The interior’s organizing principle is the triple-height atrium at the center of the home. It is placed perpendicular to the front and rear facades, an orientation that enhances visual interest and depth.
The atrium is bisected by a folded steel staircase, while in the background a finely articulated wood slat wall runs the height of the volume, the relatively rough material texture bringing visual depth to this otherwise open and airy and consistent element.
The space is crowned with a large operable skylight that draws natural light into the home, casting shadows across the interior architecture throughout the day.
These architectural gestures establish a vertical orientation with a flowing floor plan across the four levels and strong visual axial connectivity.
Located in the highly transparent middle volume, the living room and attached deck act as an extension of the backyard, evoking a treehouse-like environment.
Ensconced in the tree’s heroic canopy, a sliding glass door outlined in steel spans the width of the room and frames long views towards downtown.
The interior palette layers hand-troweled Venetian plaster walls, poured terrazzo flooring at the primary living level, wire brushed wide-plank oak flooring at all other levels, and warm/blonde rift cut millwork to create a richly textured yet understated experience.
Project: Dolores Heights Residence
Architects: Dumican Mosey Architects
Design Team: Eric Dumican, Russell Frank
General Contractor: Durkin Inc.
Client: Private
Photographers: Matthew Millman
